All posts tagged: hamburg

Back when I lived in Hamburg I used to have a love-hate-relationship with the city in the north of Germany. Returning for a weekend, I have fallen all over again for its harbour, the view out to the cranes at night, all those cafés I called my second home. Combining the weekend trip with a wedding to celebrate was the best reason to enjoy some carefree days in Hamburg. Coffee at elbgold, waffles at Salon Wechsel Dich, delving among books at stories! and finally a wedding in front of the harbour panorama made this stay just perfect. And waking up in classy Hotel Hafen Hamburg also had its part to play… After my traditional Sunday morning routine, breakfast at Kaffee Stark, it was time to fly black to Amsterdam – but with quite some wistfulness in my luggage.

Two days ago Otto’s Burger opened up just around our street, so it was about time to check it out! A lover of sixties and industrial design, I fell in love with the raw architecture of this place: run-down walls, copper pipes and academic chairs. It seems most burger diners opening in Hamburg lately bank on the retro charm. However, it’s not the interior deciding about the quality of this place, of course, but the burgers. They were good. No more, no less. The taste of my Mixed Vegetarian Burger was well adjusted. I especially loved all the beetroot on it. All in all, it was yummy but not too special. The “normal” fries (unfortunately they didn’t have sweet potato fries in the afternoon) were pretty solid, though. Homemade, crunchy and salty. That’s how I like them. As Otto’s Burger has just opened, I suppose they yet have to warm up a little. I’ll give them the time they need. Because I love burgers way too much. And this place is literally just around the corner. …

There is this one place in town I had sworn myself I would never check out again: Kaffee Stark. It was three years ago. I was new to Hamburg and not exactly able to cope with this specific St. Pauli manner. Let’s call it understatement in friendliness. Now – some years later – I’m so fond of this place I’m found here almost everyday. It’s my office, my favourite breakfast option, the place I go to to have a strong cup of coffee with friends or alone. Either I have become less friendly over time or I’m fallen in love with this specific St. Pauli manner. I suppose it’s the latter.